ALL IN ORDER

You can still have it all in 1,000 square feet of space – and we’re here to tell you how

Small houses get a bad rep, what with their owners forever planning to tack on another floor or a fat addition out back. But Nicole Dennis Durnin loves her pint-sized place just the way it is. “My husband and I are over the moon with it,” she says. “Cozy spaces bring you closer as a family.”

The object of her and husband Andrew’s affection? A 922-squarefoot bungalow at the foot of a mountain in North Vancouver. With its stunning setting and gardens in both front and back, the property is the picture of domestic bliss.

Until early 2015, the pair and their three-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Evelyn, had actually thrived in less space – a 630-square-foot condo. But, ready to depart the downtown core, they asked Nicole’s mom to sell them the 1940s bungalow she used as a rental property. Having gained much more space, the couple set about making it their own.

While the larger footprint was welcome, the bungalow’s layout and aesthetics needed improving. A labyrinthine layout and hodgepodge of hues – maroon and mustard walls were in play – established the opposite of the soothing monochromatic look the couple craved. “My husband and I are drawn to bright white spaces,” says Nicole, the proprietor of LynnSteven, a women’s boutique (Andrew works for the municipal government). “Our condo was all white, down to the hardwood floors.”

To institute their coveted aesthetic, the couple turned to the same local designer who had lightened the look of their previous home. “I am known as the guy who works with white,” says designer Peter Wilds with a laugh. He’s also known for his Scandinavian sensibility – think simple forms in tone-on-tone rooms. Like Nicole and Andrew,

DESIGN, Peter Wilds Design, peterwildsdesign.com; CONTRACTING, Left Coast Services; Chantilly Lace OC-65 WALL PAINT (throughout), Benjamin Moore; FLOORING (throughout), Burritt Bros. Carpet & Floors; DINING TABLE, Union Wood Co.; custom BENCHES, Peter...

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LEFT Don’t let this stunningly pristine space fool you. The minimalistic floor-toceiling cabinetry blends into the background, but offers ample storage space for the couple’s young daughter to stash toys and art supplies.

BELOW A matte black faucet and plus-signpatterned print lend graphic interest to the all-white room. The parsley plant adds a functional pop of texture and colour. PRINT, Örling & Wu; TABLE LAMP (in front of print), Vancouver Special.